Ukraine: If Putin Rejects Turkey Talks, It Will Be Final Signal Russia Doesn’t Want Peace

Ukraine is prepared for any format of negotiations with Russia, but a ceasefire must come first, said Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, during his virtual participation in the 2025 Copenhagen Democracy Summit, The Gaze reports.

Moderated by former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the discussion focused on the path to peace amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

“It is impossible to hold negotiations while the Ukrainian people are under constant attacks from Russian missiles and drones,” Yermak stated. “Therefore, establishing a ceasefire is an important and necessary precondition.”

Yermak confirmed that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is ready to participate in proposed talks in Turkey, but Russia has yet to respond regarding President Vladimir Putin’s attendance.

“We have confirmed that President Zelenskyy is ready and will be in Turkey. Yesterday there was a very strong and clear statement from President Trump that he expects both leaders to attend the talks in Turkey. He is also considering visiting. I believe that if Vladimir Putin refuses to come to Turkey, it will be the final signal that Russia does not want to end this war, that Russia does not want and is not ready for any negotiations,” Yermak emphasized.

He further stressed that a Russian refusal should trigger a strong international reaction: new sanctions and increased military aid for Ukraine.

Yermak also noted progress on building Ukraine’s security guarantees. “There are already specific proposals from partner countries, including developments within a coalition of willing nations,” he said.

“But the most serious and strongest guarantee is a strong, prepared, and well-trained Armed Forces of Ukraine. We are working on this with our partners. We also expect that the minerals agreement with the U.S. will become one of the elements of a future security guarantee system,” Yermak added.

As The Gaze previously reported, Putin has called for direct negotiations with Ukraine to take place in Istanbul on May 15, emphasizing Moscow’s readiness to resume dialogue without setting any prior conditions.

Additionally, European foreign ministers issued a united call for peace in Ukraine on Monday, with several top diplomats urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage seriously in negotiations.

Read more on The Gaze: U.S. Special Envoy Lays Out Key Issues for Potential Ukraine-Russia Negotiations